Life in Equestria

While eating French Toast Brandon somehow ended up reading the fashion magazine, which he wasn't really reading as he was looking to see if Rarity managed to end up featured in it. Two or three of her pieces were listed. One of which was a denim dress that was inspired by that of earth. "Looks like all the farm mares have a new dress." He muttered to himself, almost chuckling at it. Knowing how durable and easy to clean those things are any farmer would get one to wear about. The price wasn't too bad either, compared to several others it was really affordable. Rarity will have her work cut out for her with orders of this dress.

Soon after finishing their meal Lyra speaks up, "You get a chance to read todays article?"

"No, why?"

"There are missing ponies." She shows him the article which has a list of missing ponies. The article points out that no one saw or heard anything and that they disappeared at night.

"Huh, odd. I never noticed anything odd while out and about the last few days."

"How did they disappear?"

"Kidnapped professionally. Got in and out silently without disturbing anything."

"How would you go about tracking them down?"

"Find the next target and track them back to the hideout."

"Says that all victims are mares that are attractive and single seem to be what they are targeting."

"That narrows it down very slightly since it seems there are a lot of single pretty mares."

"Yeah, am I a target?" She seemed slightly fearful and looked a little worried.

"No, been seven months since you moved in, no one would consider us single at this point. You are safe, besides they have to deal with a very unhappy me to get to you."

She smiles and hugs him softly, mostly hugging him because he would fight for her safety if he had to. "Thanks."

"It would be my personal pleasure to teach the intruder a lesson or two."

"How do you think the kidnapper is getting information about the possible targets?"

"I know where I'd be if I wanted to see many marks at once without suspicion."

"Where?"

"The most public cafe would be a good start. Cheap coffee and a lone outside table. No one thinks twice about those at the outside table."

"You going to help those poor ponies?"

"Guess so, the Royal Guard wouldn't know where to look."

"Does this mean that you are going to wear the outfit in the bedroom?"

"Yup, time to bring Ghost back out of retirement."

"I so need to see what he looks like."

After several minutes Brandon walks out in the outfit, face covered by the hood and two swords hidden by the jacket. "Here I am." He says in a distorted voice.

"What's with the change in voice?"

"Part of the cover. I change the voice to keep myself from being recognized."

"I see. Well, come back in one piece."

"I may be slightly damaged, but nothing that bad."

"I will hold you up to that."

They smile at each other and he walks to the most public cafe with the name "Ponyville Café." He chuckles at the simplistic name and takes a seat where he can view the entire town square. If this kidnapped was going to scout out marks he would have to head through the market zone at least once. The waiter soon gives him his requested beverage of unsweetened tea. He was going to wait off on coffee till later in the day.

Hours pass and nothing appears out of the ordinary, that is until he looks on the roof and sees a griffon on the roof of a building across the street. He appears to be staring right at Brandon who returns the stare from behind the hood. That is, until Brandon hears tussling and ruffling as he is getting approached by something kind of fast. Brandon stays where he is and sips his tea. Soon he is surrounded by four griffons and a stallion that has a tan coat and beach blonde mane and tail. They all stare at him as he sips the last of his tea.

"What are you doing here?" The pony asks.

"Giving the cafe some business and enjoying this wonderful Saturday."

"No, you are scouting the area."

"Yes, I am, I'm looking to buy some apples from that stand over there." He points to Applejack's stand.

"Why haven't you then? Stand looks like it has little business."

"Waiting for the right time to approach, can get them cheaper if you wait a bit before going up to the stand."

They ponder his comment. Not sure to believe the mystery being or not. "I don't fully buy your story. What do you know?"

"That a pretty boy stallion with a bad dye job is interrupting my peaceful time drinking tea. By the way can you tell the waiter I would like my coffee now."

The stallion growls at being insulted like this, "You know who I am?"

"Nope. Nor do I care."

"Name is Sugar."

"Isn't that a mare's name?"

"That's it! Take him!" With this they pounce and pin Brandon down. Brandon not even fighting them a little, though if they could see his face he was smiling as his plan comes together nicely.

"Umph!" Brandon moans as he kicked in the gut by the earth pony from earlier. "No, you are doing it wrong, you need to follow through, put some meaning into it." Brandon comments, just saying stuff to keep them busy. Brandon was chained with his hands up in the air to keep him from blocking the kicks. Though he was unaware that there was a pony in a cell to his left watching this closely.

The pony kicks again and Brandon grunts in pain and spits out blood. "Oh yeah, that was pretty painful. How was that for you?"

A griffon walks up to him, "What were you doing at the cafe? You didn't do a good job hiding that you were investigating."

"Investigating? No, I go there, just to breathe, take in the scenery and enjoy a cup of tea."

The pony kicks him again. "No, you have training, what were you? A Guard? Some sort of secret task force?"

"Guard? No I was a boy scout once, hey take these restraints off and I'll show you how to tie a slip-knot." Brandon winks after saying this.

"No, you have some sort of special training, you have counter intel training."

"Maybe." He yawns, "Sorry you guys are so boring you make me sleepy."

"Throw him in the cell with the other." The griffon orders.

The pony and another griffon release him from the chain on the ceiling and drag him into the cell.

Brandon stands and limps and sits slowly against the wall. He groans a little and spits blood again. He then chuckles as things seem to go well for him so far. The mare that has been watching this stands and walks over.

"Let me help."

"Nothing you can do. Bruises and cracked ribs can't be fixed. Blood is from when the griffon punched my face earlier."

She sits near him, "You sure know how to take a hit."

"I've been hit worse. That should say something about that earth pony. Since they supposedly have the strongest legs of the three varieties."

She giggles, "What he gets for having a mare's name."

"He isn't ashamed to say it is he."

"He never told me, I heard his name called by the griffon that was questioning you."

"I see."

"You caused quite a stir though, when their informant said there was a mysterious figure at the cafe where their scout normally sat."

"See I hit a nerve then."

"Why did you let them take you?"

"What?"

"I know you could have kept them from taking you. Everything about you says that you could easily take them all out."

"True but I wouldn't learn anything. Want to know why they are taking mares and what they plan on doing with them later."

"So you get caught and have them basically tell you?"

"Pretty much."

"Stupidest plan I ever heard."

"Should hear some of my other ones that have worked without a hitch."

"You are either a genius or a fool."

"Both." He chuckles.

"You have a name?"

"Ghost."

"Highly doubt that is your name."

"What's yours then?"

"You know not who I am?"

"Not off the top of my head, but of course I probably have a concussion so my memory may be foggy."

"Decent point, I'm Daring Do."

"Yeah, that's not your real name either. I do mine for protection of self and others. You do it for the story."

"That so?"

"My line of work tends to make super dangerous types target just me. Like a addiction. Can't stop till I die."

"You don't plunge into dungeons then?"

"Most of the time it's a formal party, where you gear up to be in the wilderness, I put on a suit and wear a pretty smile."

"Sounds dull."

"It is, but sometimes you end up with more excitement than you'd like. Take this for example."

"So you use camouflage?"

"Pretty much."

"What's this outfit for?" She gestures to his jacket.

"It's my work clothes. What I wear when using the name Ghost."

"Just like how I am known for this outfit."

"Yes, just mine is stealth and intimidation."

A pony guard walks into the room with the cell in it.

"Hey Daring, time to go for the direct approach."

"What do you mean."

Watch. Hey guard can you come here?"

The guard walks over, annoyed he has to put up with prisoners. "What?"

"Who's the next victim?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Dead man's wishes. Not going to survive this so why not know?"

"The mare you are with will join the others and the new target is a rust and purple pegasus named Scootaloo."

"Thanks." Brandon then grabs the pony and pounds his head against the lock, only once. The pony falls to the ground unconscious and the lock badly damaged. Brandon then kicks the door and the lock breaks. A griffon flies at him as Daring collides into him. Though he sinks his talons into her sides as they hit the ground. Brandon quickly runs over and chokes the griffon who only continues to push his talons deeper into her. Brandon resolves to punching the griffon which combined with the choking knocks him out. Brandon pulls the talons out of Daring carefully and quickly.

"How bad is it?"

"Pretty deep, you need a hospital fast." Brandon spots a towel on the nearby table and ties it around her. "Don't move, I'll take care of the situation."

The earth pony Sugar walks in on the escaped prisoners and runs over, he tries to throw a punch but Brandon grabs his hoof and counters by redirecting his hoof and putting it behind him. Brandon then puts him on his stomach with the hoof being held on his back. Shoulder near being dislocated. He whimpers in pain and Brandon finishes the job and dislocates the shoulder. The pony cries in pain.

Brandon heads through the door the pony came through and sees a big cage full of mares. He finds the keys and opens the door, "Go get out, and take the mare with the towel tied around her to the hospital immediately." They nod and run.

Several ponies arrive at the Ponyville Orphanage and ask about Scootaloo.

"We are sorry, but she was taken out to dinner by one of her close friends ten minutes ago." The receptionist replies.

"Have a name of this friend of hers?"

"No, he never left us his name, but Scootaloo knows it and likes being with him."

"Have a description?"

"Tall and oddly today, limping and bleeding from his mouth."

They frown, "Thank you."

They leave and head to the market where they see Brandon and Scootaloo at the table Brandon was grabbed from. They try to sneak up on him and her.

"Took long enough." Brandon replies as they just become visible to him.

"Who are you?" The one asks.

"Ghost."

"Bu-" Scootaloo tries to interject but is shushed by Brandon.

"Alright. Ghost, hand us the filly and we let you walk."

"Considering your army is licking its wounds because of me I would tell you to leave or I will kick butt."

"You don't scare us."

Brandon grabs the bowl of sugar cubes and throws one at the leader.

"Stop it."

"No." He throws another.

The pony just growls as Brandon pelts him with cubes and soon lunges at him. Brandon counters by grabbing his hooves and making him land on his back. Then the other flees, fearing his life.

The other surrenders as a member of the Royal Guard comes to investigate the scene. After giving the guard all the info Brandon takes Scoots back home.

"You know I saved Daring Do today, twice."

"You did?"

"Yes."

"Dash will be all over you if she learns."

"When, no way Daring won't put this in the next novel."

"Yeah. Is she safe?"

"Yeah, in the hospital right now. Was going to check on her in the morning."

"Alright. May I join you?"

"Why not. See you at eight."

"Alright, bye Brandon!"

"Bye." Brandon then heads home where he meets a concerned Lyra.

"What happened to you?"

"What? Nothing happened."

"Your bleeding and bruised."

"It's nothing, all in a good days work. Now how about we get some sleep. I've had a long day."

"Alright..."